Trend Naija

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a fresh warning to European countries, reportedly saying Russia is ready for war with Europe even though it does not want one.

What he said

Speaking at a Russia–Africa summit in Moscow, reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Putin is said to have told any European country seeking a conflict to prepare for it, and warned that if things escalated there would be no winners at all. He argued that Western efforts to defeat Russia strategically had failed. He also said Moscow did not want the Baltic Sea to face disruption like that seen in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent Iran war, which pushed up fuel prices around the world.

The summit

The meeting was attended by 48 countries, including 22 heads of state, according to reports. African countries have deepened trade and security ties with Russia in recent years, and the summit was seen as part of Moscow's effort to keep its influence on the continent.

Background

Tensions between Russia and NATO countries have risen in recent months. Several European governments have accused Russia of sabotage, surveillance of undersea cables and drone incursions into their airspace, including over Latvia and Estonia. Germany raised its assessment of the risk of war with Russia earlier this month. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues, and a Russian strike on a railway station was reported to have killed 14 people this week, an attack Ukraine's president condemned.

What happens next

European leaders are expected to respond to the remarks, and NATO is likely to keep up its patrols in the Baltic region.

Cristiano Ronaldo has received a special 'Ballon d'Or of All Time' honour after fans voted his 2007-08 season at Manchester United the greatest in the history of the award.

What happened

The prize was reportedly presented by France Football, the magazine that runs the Ballon d'Or, after a month-long public online vote. The result was reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Lionel Messi's 2012 season finished second, while Ronaldo's own 2017 season came third.

The winning season

In 2007-08, Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions and helped Manchester United win both the Premier League and the Champions League. That season earned him his first Ballon d'Or, the start of a long rivalry with Messi that saw the two players dominate the award for more than a decade.

What Ronaldo said

The Portuguese star thanked fans around the world on social media, saying football belongs to the fans and that the award belongs to them too.

How fans reacted

The result reignited the endless debate between supporters of Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo's fans celebrated the win as proof of his greatness, while Messi supporters pointed out that the Argentine has won more Ballon d'Or titles in total. The honour comes days after England captain Harry Kane won this year's Ballon d'Or.

Nigerian music star D'Banj has opened up about the loss of his son in an emotional post that touched many of his fans.

What he wrote

In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the singer told his late son, Daniel, that he missed him and said he could not imagine what the boy's mother had been through. He wrote that the family had reached a safe space in their healing, alongside his wife, Lineo, and their other children. He thanked his son for teaching him what life really means, said he believed the boy was proud of the family, and asked him to greet his late uncle Femi. The post included several photos of father and son together.

Background

D'Banj's son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, drowned in June 2018 at the family home in Lagos when he was 13 months old. The tragedy shocked the entertainment industry, and the singer and his wife received messages of support from fans and colleagues at the time. D'Banj, one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian pop music, has spoken in the past about how the loss changed his life and his faith.

How people reacted

Fans and fellow celebrities flooded the comments with prayers and messages of comfort, praising the singer for speaking openly about grief and healing.

Nigeria's two main labour centres are at odds over the Federal Government's ₦70,000 transport allowance for workers, exposing divisions within organised labour.

What happened

In comments reported on Friday, 30 October 2026, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president Joe Ajaero is said to have rebuked the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for rejecting the allowance. He reportedly argued that the TUC did not sign the agreement and should not oppose something it did not negotiate. Ajaero described the allowance, which the NLC says will last six months, as an important step to help workers cope with higher petrol prices and living costs, and said it could serve as a reference for future negotiations.

The TUC's position

The TUC has rejected the allowance and is reportedly demanding a ₦300,000 national minimum wage instead.

A temporary fix

Ajaero stressed that the allowance is not a permanent solution and warned that the six months must not run out before a new minimum wage framework is agreed. He said future wage talks should take account of transport, food, housing and other basic costs. Earlier this week he said a ₦1 million minimum wage would collapse the economy.

Opposition reaction

ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has rejected the allowance as far too small, with his campaign questioning what a month's worth of support could buy in fuel. His campaign also said private sector workers, traders and informal workers are left out.

What happens next

Talks on a new minimum wage are expected to continue, and the split between the NLC and TUC could affect labour's bargaining power.

Former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha has criticised Peter Obi's plan to serve a single four-year term if elected president, reportedly calling it a dangerous gamble.

What he said

Speaking on a Channels Television politics programme on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Okorocha is said to have questioned whether Obi's one-term model would work and urged the South East to be careful and strategic in choosing political alliances rather than backing what he described as risky options. He also backed President Bola Tinubu's re-election, arguing that the President had not acted against the interests of the Igbo people and was a more reliable choice for the region.

Background

Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has promised to serve only one term, a pledge his supporters say shows he is not driven by personal ambition. Critics, including Works Minister David Umahi, have argued that the South East should aim for eight years in power like other regions. Okorocha's comments came on the same day a Federal High Court ordered INEC to recognise him as the APC candidate for the Imo West Senate seat in place of Governor Hope Uzodimma, and former APC chairman Abdullahi Ganduje visited him to congratulate him.

How people reacted

Obi's supporters dismissed the comments as politically motivated, while APC supporters shared the clip widely. The Obi campaign had not responded at the time of the report.

What happens next

The debate over whether the South East should back Obi or Tinubu is likely to grow as both camps campaign across the region.

The faith-based Nollywood film Agbara Nla: The Return is reportedly breaking records abroad as it prepares to open in cinemas across the United States.

The figures

According to the film's distributor, the movie has earned about $173,650 across the UK, Ireland and Canada, including about £86,700 from the UK and Ireland and about CAD$82,200 from Canada. The distributor claims it recorded the biggest opening weekend ever for a Nollywood film in the UK, as well as record pre-sales. These figures come from the distributor and have not been independently verified. In Nigeria, the film has grossed about ₦408 million, making it the second-highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2026, and has held the number one spot for four weekends in a row.

US release

The film opens in American cinemas on Friday, 30 October 2026, with tickets available through major cinema chains, the distributor announced on Instagram this week.

Background

Agbara Nla: The Return is a modern retelling of the 1993 classic Agbara Nla by Mount Zion Faith Ministries founder Mike Bamiloye, who reprises his role as the herbalist Isawuru. The original film is one of the best-known Christian movies in Nigeria and was watched by millions on video. The new version has drawn church groups and families to cinemas in large numbers.

Why it matters

The film's success abroad shows the growing audience for Nigerian faith-based stories among the diaspora, and could encourage more Nollywood releases in foreign cinemas.

Nigeria's national oil company, NNPC Limited, says it is ready to restart oil exploration in Borno State, more than two years after work stopped.

What happened

An NNPC delegation led by its chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, and Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Ojulari met Governor Babagana Zulum at Government House in Maiduguri on Wednesday, according to reports published on Friday, 30 October 2026. The company said it was prepared to resume exploration in an oil basin covering seven local government areas of the state and to work with the state government and local communities. No date for the restart was given. The two sides also discussed a planned solar power project.

Zulum's conditions

Zulum reportedly pledged full support for the operations and rejected the idea that insecurity caused the suspension, saying soldiers, police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were already guarding the sites and equipment. Before work fully resumes, he asked NNPC to honour an earlier promise to supply gas to the state, saying its withdrawal was a key reason for the stoppage, and to upgrade equipment that has been lying idle for more than two years. He also backed more solar plants to protect residents from rising fuel costs.

Background

The search for oil in the North East has long been part of government efforts to diversify Nigeria's oil production away from the Niger Delta. Exploration in Borno was disrupted for years by the Boko Haram insurgency, and oil workers were attacked in the area in 2017.

What happens next

NNPC is expected to work out a timetable with the state government once the conditions are discussed further.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), took his campaign to Ebonyi State on Thursday, 29 October 2026, where he reportedly told a town hall meeting that Nigerians should not vote for politicians who stay in their homes while ordinary people suffer.

What he said

According to reports, Obi said some of the people seeking the presidency could not find places such as Abakaliki, Ikwo and Nkalagu on a map, and did not understand the problems facing people in those communities. He argued that leaders must engage directly with citizens and listen to their needs, and said leadership should come from the demand of the people rather than being supplied to them by a few. The meeting was organised to hear residents' concerns first-hand.

Background

The Ebonyi visit came a day after Obi's town hall in Nasarawa State, where he said election riggers would be jailed under his government, and on the same day Oyo governor Seyi Makinde told a meeting in Enugu that his team had been warned against campaigning in the South East because it is seen as Obi's stronghold. Obi, a former Anambra governor, won most of the South East in 2023 as the Labour Party candidate and is now running with Rabiu Kwankwaso on the NDC ticket.

How people reacted

Supporters shared clips from the meeting widely online. Some commenters claimed that tricycle operators were restricted around the venue, but these claims have not been confirmed. The APC and other parties have not responded to his latest remarks.

What happens next

Obi is expected to continue his tour of the South East and North Central in the coming days as campaigning for the January 2027 elections intensifies.

The fight over the APC ticket for the Imo West Senatorial District has drawn in a major party figure, with former APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje reportedly visiting former Imo governor Rochas Okorocha to congratulate him on his court victory.

What happened

According to reports on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, visited Okorocha to celebrate the judgment. He is said to have told Okorocha he was excited when he heard about the ruling and described it as a reason for celebration. No direct statement from Okorocha about the visit has been reported.

The court ruling

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled that Governor Hope Uzodimma should stop presenting himself as the APC candidate for Imo West and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha's name instead. Okorocha had gone to court claiming he won the party's primary on 18 May with about 150,780 votes to Uzodimma's 102,158, while the returning officer had declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes. The case also raises the question of whether a sitting governor, whose term runs until January 2028, can contest a Senate seat in 2027.

Background

Okorocha governed Imo from 2011 to 2019 and has had a long-running rivalry with Uzodimma, who succeeded him after a Supreme Court judgment in 2020. Uzodimma has been campaigning for President Tinubu's re-election and has rejected the Rainbow Coalition in the state.

What happens next

Uzodimma has not publicly responded to the visit, and it is not yet clear whether he will appeal. The ruling is expected to deepen divisions within the Imo APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Nigerian stock market closed at a new all-time high on Thursday, 29 October 2026, as gains in Dangote Cement and other large companies pushed investors' wealth higher.

The numbers

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) All-Share Index rose by 0.47 per cent to close at 254,083.02 points, according to reports. The total value of listed shares climbed to about ₦164.97 trillion, up from ₦164.19 trillion the day before, a gain of about ₦779 billion. That beat the previous record of about ₦164.91 trillion set on 27 October.

Who led the rally

Dangote Cement, one of the largest companies on the exchange, gained 5.82 per cent to close at ₦1,420 per share, and helped lift the industrial goods index by more than 3 per cent. Among smaller stocks, payment company eTranzact rose by 10 per cent, while Sovereign Trust Insurance, FTG Insurance, McNichols and Zichis Agro-Allied Industries also posted strong gains.

Background

Nigerian stocks have performed strongly this year as investors respond to falling inflation, a more stable naira and strong company earnings. Inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September, according to official figures cited by the government, and external reserves have risen to about $55 billion.

What it means

For ordinary investors, the record high means the value of many shareholdings has risen sharply, although analysts often warn that markets can fall quickly after strong rallies.

Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has fired back at a man who mocked her age over the title of her new single, 'African Baddie', in an exchange that quickly went viral.

What happened

On Thursday, 29 October 2026, a social media user reportedly questioned why a woman of 40 would call herself a 'baddie' and suggested she was not serious. Replying in a single post, the singer corrected him, saying she is actually 46, listed her achievements and described herself as unbothered. She asked what exactly his problem was and used the same post to promote her new release.

The new single

'African Baddie' is scheduled for release on Friday, 30 October. The singer has long presented herself as Africa's 'bad girl', and the title builds on that image.

Background

Tiwa Savage is one of Africa's most successful female artists. She has won major awards, signed with Universal Music Group and performed at the coronation concert of King Charles III in 2023. Her career spans more than a decade of hit songs, and she has frequently spoken about ageism and the pressure on women in the music industry.

How people reacted

Fans rallied behind the singer, praising her confidence and saying age should not limit how women express themselves. Others joked that the critic had given her free promotion a day before the song's release.

Former House of Representatives member Dachung Bagos has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State, according to results announced on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

The result

The chairman of the rerun electoral committee, Simon Elisha, reportedly announced at the party's state secretariat in Jos that Bagos polled 12,181 votes, while his rival, Esther Simi Dusu, received 2,495 votes, a margin of almost 10,000. The rerun was held on Wednesday in 11 wards, including Du, Shen, Turu, Federe and Shere.

Why there was a rerun

A High Court in Jos had nullified the original primary for the seat after finding alleged irregularities in the 11 affected wards and ordered fresh voting in those areas. With the rerun result, Bagos is set to be the APC candidate for the seat in the 2027 general election.

Background

Bagos represented Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives before, and is a well-known figure in Plateau politics. Party primaries across the country have produced many court cases this year, with several candidates replaced or ordered to face reruns. The Plateau constituency has seen strong contests between the major parties in recent elections.

What happens next

It is not yet known whether the losing candidate will challenge the result. INEC is expected to update its list of candidates once the party submits the name.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for 2027, has taken his campaign to the South East, telling supporters in Enugu that his team was almost discouraged from coming to a region widely seen as Peter Obi's base. On the same day, he raised questions about President Bola Tinubu's trip to Saudi Arabia.

What he said in Enugu

Speaking at an APM town hall meeting in Enugu on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Makinde said people had warned his team against campaigning in the South East because the zone was regarded as belonging completely to Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate. He said he decided to bring his message there anyway and urged Nigerians to reject politics that divides people along ethnic and tribal lines.

His question about Tinubu's trip

In a video shared the same day by an Oyo affairs account on X, Makinde said he had read on social media that the President was travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria. He remarked that prayers can be answered from within Nigeria too, and asked the Presidency to tell Nigerians the true situation. He did not say what he believed the situation to be.

How people reacted

Reactions online were divided. Some users backed his call for openness, while others accused him of politicising a religious trip, and one asked whether he was wishing the President ill because of the election. The Presidency has said the President is performing Umrah, and an aide has rejected claims that the trip is for medical treatment.

Background

Obi won most of the South East in the 2023 presidential election and remains very popular there. Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as Oyo governor, is one of several candidates now trying to build support across regions. Tinubu left Abuja for Makkah this week, and Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore have also questioned the trip.

President Bola Tinubu has responded to criticism of his government's borrowing plans, saying the real test of debt is what it produces rather than how large it is. His essay, titled 'From Reforms to Delivery', was released in Abuja on Thursday, 29 October 2026, and shared on X by his adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

What he said

Tinubu reportedly argued that the key question is not how much Nigeria borrows but what the country builds and leaves behind. He listed projects including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Trans-Sahara Highway, upgrades to the electricity grid and the modernisation of ports in Lagos, as well as spending on health, education and skills. He said the coastal highway alone could cut logistics costs on the corridor by 15 to 20 per cent, add up to 2 per cent to GDP and create about 100,000 construction jobs.

The figures he cited

The President pointed to growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter, inflation of 14.63 per cent in September compared with about 21 per cent a year earlier, external reserves of about $55 billion and a tax-to-GDP ratio of 12.5 per cent. He credited the removal of the petrol subsidy, the unification of exchange rates and tax reforms. He said a $1 trillion economy by 2030 cannot run on infrastructure built for a much smaller economy, and named food affordability and energy prices among his priorities for the next phase.

The criticism

The essay follows the President's request to the Senate for approval to borrow about $20.5 billion and €1 billion. Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, said the request proved an earlier warning he gave, and has accused the government of piling up debt, which he says now stands at about ₦167 trillion. He has asked for details of how previous loans were spent.

What happens next

The Senate is yet to approve the new borrowing plan, and the debate over debt is expected to be a major theme of the 2027 campaign.

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has reportedly said that a minimum wage of ₦1 million a month would bring down the Nigerian economy, in comments that surprised many workers.

What he said

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Ajaero is said to have argued that the priority should be lowering the cost of living and improving the value of the naira rather than chasing very large pay figures. He reportedly said that without tackling inflation, the weak currency and high living costs, bigger salaries on paper would not make workers better off, and that government must first take steps to stabilise the economy.

Background

Labour unions and the Federal Government are still discussing a review of the national minimum wage, which was raised to ₦70,000 a month in 2024. Some workers and activists have called for a much higher figure because of rising prices. The government recently approved a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers to ease the impact of high fuel prices, a move that the opposition criticised as too small.

How people reacted

The comments drew mixed reactions online. Some users said the NLC leader was being realistic about what the economy can afford, while others said labour should be pressing for the highest possible increase at a time when food and transport costs have risen sharply.

What happens next

Talks between labour and the government are expected to continue, with wages likely to become a major issue in the run-up to the 2027 elections.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has told banks and other financial institutions that the deadline for keeping critical payment transaction data inside Nigeria remains 1 January 2027.

What happened

The CBN Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability, Lamido Abubakar Yuguda, gave the warning at a regulatory meeting in Lagos organised with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026. He said the date had not changed and that institutions that break the rule would face sanctions. Deliberate attempts to frustrate the policy would not be tolerated, he added.

Why the rule exists

The CBN says storing payment data in the country will improve supervision, make the financial system more resilient and protect sensitive customer information, as more Nigerians rely on mobile apps, online banking and fintech services. The meeting focused on the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, which aims to keep government and critical data on infrastructure within Nigeria.

What banks must do

Yuguda reportedly stressed that simply moving data into the country will not make it safe. Banks must also improve their cybersecurity, plans for keeping services running during outages, disaster recovery and risk management. They will remain responsible for risks linked to cloud providers and other technology partners.

What it means for customers

For ordinary customers, the change should be mostly invisible, but the regulator says it should make it harder for sensitive financial data to be exposed and easier for authorities to investigate fraud.

Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has reopened old wounds from his time in charge of the national team, reportedly describing a snub by John Mikel Obi as one of the biggest insults he suffered in the job.

What he said

Speaking on a podcast, in comments reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Oliseh is said to have explained that he paid for his own trip from Belgium to the United Kingdom to meet Mikel and Victor Moses at a bar in central London, together with his assistant coach. According to Oliseh, Moses came and gave honest feedback about problems in the squad, which he said he respected, but Mikel did not turn up and did not reply to his WhatsApp message.

The NFF warning

Oliseh also reportedly said that when he took the job, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) told him to stop inviting Mikel, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Emmanuel Emenike, describing the three as troublesome for the federation. He said he now regrets not following that advice. The NFF has not commented on his account, and Mikel has not publicly responded.

Background

Oliseh, a former Super Eagles captain, coached the national team from 2015 until he resigned in 2016. His spell was marked by public disputes with players and officials. Enyeama retired from international football during that period after a falling-out with the coach. Mikel, who captained Nigeria and won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, has since become a popular podcaster and pundit.

How fans reacted

Fans were divided, with some saying the former coach should let the past go and others saying his account helps explain the tension in the team at the time.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is moving quickly up Galatasaray's list of all-time foreign goalscorers, and the club record is now within reach.

Where he stands

Osimhen's two goals in Monday's 2-1 derby win over Fenerbahçe took his tally for the Istanbul club to 68, according to reports on Thursday, 29 October 2026. That puts him third among foreign players in the club's history. Romanian great Gheorghe Hagi is second with 72 goals, while Argentine striker Mauro Icardi holds the record with 77, just nine more than Osimhen.

His form this season

The 27-year-old has reportedly scored nine goals and provided three assists in nine appearances in all competitions this season under coach Okan Buruk. His derby double was celebrated widely by Galatasaray fans and by Nigerians on social media.

Background

Osimhen first joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli and became a fan favourite after a prolific first season that helped the club win the Turkish league title. He later completed a permanent move. The former African Footballer of the Year remains Nigeria's main attacking threat, and his form will be closely watched by Super Eagles fans.

What happens next

At his current rate, Osimhen could pass Hagi within weeks, and could challenge Icardi's record before the end of the season.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly called Brazil's presidential election a disgrace, raising tensions with Latin America's largest country.

What he said

Asked by reporters on Thursday, 29 October 2026, whether he accepted the victory of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump reportedly described the election as a disgrace and an embarrassment to Brazilians, but said he did not want to say more at that time. He did not say whether he recognised Lula as Brazil's president.

Background

Lula, a veteran left-wing leader, faced Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in the election. Flavio Bolsonaro, an ally of Trump, has claimed he was the true winner. He reportedly travelled to the United States the day before Trump's remarks, after going into exile from Brazil, and declared himself the rightful leader. Earlier this week, a Brazilian court had banned him from leaving the country, according to reports at the time.

Why it matters

Trump's comments reportedly go further than his earlier remarks on the vote and are likely to strain relations between Washington and Brasília. The United States and Brazil are major trading partners, and relations were already tense after Trump imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods and criticised the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.

What happens next

Brazil's government has not yet responded publicly to the latest comments, and it is not clear whether the United States will formally question the result.

Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actress Habibat Jinadu has spoken openly about why she lightened her skin, saying years of remarks about her complexion on film sets wore her down.

What she said

In an interview with a BBC Yoruba programme, reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Jinadu reportedly said that directors repeatedly complained that she was too dark under the lights on set. She said she did not take the comments to heart at first, until someone compared her to a monkey. She said fair-skinned actors were often preferred for roles when she was building her career, and that people who were not light-skinned were rarely called for jobs. The constant criticism, she said, eventually led her to bleach her skin.

Background

Jinadu has appeared in many Yoruba-language films over the years and is a familiar face to fans of the genre. Skin bleaching is a long-running issue in Nigeria and across Africa, and health experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of some lightening creams. Other entertainers have spoken in the past about pressure to look a certain way on screen.

How people reacted

Her comments started a wide conversation online. Many users said colourism remains a real problem in the entertainment industry, while others said no one should be made to feel ashamed of their natural skin. Some praised her for speaking honestly about a painful experience.

Gambian actress Princess Shyngle, known to Nigerian audiences from Nollywood films, has raised the alarm over what she says is a case of identity theft.

What happened

In a video shared online and reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the actress said she had found out that someone went to a Lagos venue on Tuesday night and used an American Express card with her name on it. She said she had never imagined she could be a victim of identity theft.

What she said she will do

Speaking angrily in the video, Shyngle said she would obtain the venue's CCTV footage to identify the person and expose them publicly, warning that she was coming for whoever was responsible. She said she had already reported the matter to the police. The venue has not commented publicly, and no arrest has been announced.

Background

Shyngle has appeared in several Nollywood productions and has a large social media following. Identity theft and card fraud are growing concerns in Nigeria as more payments move online, and banks regularly warn customers to protect their card details and report suspicious transactions quickly.

How people reacted

Fans sympathised with the actress and urged her to work with her bank and the police, while some shared their own experiences of card fraud.

Barely 24 hours after VeryDarkMan demonstrated the performance of his Ratel power station, Blord has come out with his own claims, and Nigerians are already raising serious questions.

According to Blord, his 1,000W-rated power station can power a big refrigerator, a 128W industrial fan, a television and even a treadmill for 12 solid hours!

Wait a minute! How is that possible?

VDM tested his 1,200W-rated power station, and it lasted 5 hours and 17 minutes under the conditions of his demonstration.

Now Blord is claiming his 1,000W unit can run all those appliances for 12 hours, without showing a complete, uninterrupted test to back up the claim.

Blord, Nigerians need evidence, not just words!

However, there is something important here. A power station's watt rating tells us how much power it can deliver at once, while its battery capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh), determines how long it can run appliances. So battery life cannot be judged from the 1,000W and 1,200W ratings alone.

Blord, show us the battery capacity, connect all those appliances and let the test run for 12 hours. No editing, no shortcuts!

VDM has shown his demonstration. Nigerians are waiting to see yours.

Do you believe Blord's 12-hour claim, or should he prove it with a proper live test?

Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, who is the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate for governor of Abia State in 2027, has been remanded in a correctional centre in Lagos after appearing in court on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Her application for bail is listed for hearing on Friday, 30 October.

What happened

Ogala was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts linked to a complaint by the cleric Pastor Chris Okafor. The charges relate to the alleged publication of photographs, the alleged spreading of false electronic messages and alleged threats against the pastor. She has not been convicted of anything, and the allegations are yet to be tested at trial.

News of the remand first spread on Wednesday afternoon, when comedian Deeone shared it online. Reports differ on which Lagos facility she was taken to. Before she was led away, Ogala posted a short video from the courtroom in which she described the case as a political move aimed at stopping her governorship bid. Clips of the moment she was taken out of court were shared widely on Thursday.

Background

The dispute between Ogala and Okafor has played out on social media for months. It reportedly began after the pastor announced plans to marry another woman, which led Ogala to criticise him publicly. She has since spoken several times about their past relationship. In another video from court, she was also heard telling the judge that her former partner was using the law against her.

How people reacted

Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore condemned the remand in a Facebook post, calling it an abuse of power. He accused the police of repeatedly using the Cybercrimes Act to shield powerful people, argued that what he called a private quarrel should not have become a criminal case, and urged the courts to stay impartial. He also said her rights as a candidate must be protected. Online, fans were divided, with some backing the actress and others saying she should answer the charges in court.

What happens next

All eyes are now on Friday's bail hearing in Lagos. Her party has not yet said how the case will affect her campaign in Abia.

President Bola Tinubu left Abuja on Thursday, 29 October 2026, for Makkah in Saudi Arabia, where the Presidency says he will perform Umrah, the lesser Islamic pilgrimage. The trip has quickly become the latest flashpoint in the race for the 2027 presidential election.

What the Presidency said

Announcing the journey, the President's adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visit was for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria's peace, unity and progress. Before leaving, Tinubu was scheduled to commission new equipment for the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Abuja airport. No return date was announced.

Atiku's demands

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, communications director of the ADC presidential campaign, Atiku Abubakar claimed to have information that the President's real destination after a brief stop in Makkah was France. He asked the Presidency to publish daily proof of Tinubu's presence at the holy sites, to say whether the trip was linked to his health, to release the full itinerary and to explain how the journey was being paid for. The statement also raised questions about a reported loan request. Atiku said he would join other Nigerians in praying for the country but insisted the questions be answered.

Sowore's claim and the reply

Activist Omoyele Sowore also claimed the President was travelling for medical care. Responding on X on Thursday, Tinubu's aide on social media, Olusegun Dada, rejected the claim. He pointed to the President's recent schedule, including the flag-off of his re-election campaign in Kaduna, meetings at the State House and a Federal Executive Council meeting, and said a sick man could not keep such a programme. Dada added that Tinubu made similar trips before the APC primary and the general election in 2022.

More questions

On Thursday evening, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is running for president on the APM ticket, also asked the Presidency to explain the true purpose of the trip, remarking that prayers can be answered from inside Nigeria too. Some Nigerians accused him of politicising a religious journey.

Arrival in Saudi Arabia

Late on Thursday, the Presidency said Tinubu had arrived in the kingdom, where he was received by Nigeria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the head of Saudi royal protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir. It said he would perform the rites of Umrah and pray for Nigeria, and that he is expected back in the country next week.

What happens next

The opposition is expected to keep pressing for details while the President is away. The Presidency says he will return next week, but no exact date has been given.

The plan to allow Nigerian states to run their own police forces has crossed a major hurdle. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the reform, said 30 state Houses of Assembly have now endorsed the constitutional amendment, comfortably above the 24 required.

What happened

Gbajabiamila gave the update at the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. He said 24 assemblies had approved the proposal by 23 October, and six more have since joined. Lagos, Niger, Kogi and Ebonyi were among the latest to vote in favour. A full list of the 30 states has not been published.

What happens next

The National Assembly must now collect the state resolutions and send the amendment bill to President Bola Tinubu for his signature. Separately, a draft National Policing Bill and 29 related amendment bills were sent to the Ministry of Justice on 19 October for review. After that review they will go to the President and then to the National Assembly.

The money question

Gbajabiamila stressed that states wanting their own police must show they can pay for it over time, including salaries, training and maintenance, and not just vehicles and equipment. States that are not ready will continue to rely on federal policing. He asked business groups to suggest ways of supporting funding, but warned that private donations must never buy influence over an investigation. Responding to fears that governors could misuse state police against opponents, he said a citizen's right to protection must not depend on who they support or where they come from.

Background

Calls for state police have grown for years amid kidnapping, banditry and communal attacks in many parts of the country. Senate President Godswill Akpabio also defended the reform this week. Earlier in October, only a handful of assemblies had voted, which made the recent rush of approvals a surprise to many observers.

Spain began three days of national mourning on Thursday, 29 October 2026, after a high-speed train reportedly ran into the back of a stationary train near the town of Urda in the central province of Toledo on Wednesday. The regional leader of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, said the death toll had risen to 69 after another body was found overnight.

What happened

According to reports, the moving train struck the stationary one from behind, and three carriages came off the tracks. On Thursday morning, rescue teams with sniffer dogs were still searching the wreckage, while cranes lifted carriages and police officers and soldiers combed the site. The number of people injured has not been confirmed in the reports seen so far, and the cause of the collision has not been announced.

What the government said

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the scene and promised a full investigation as well as safety improvements on the railways. He reportedly said Spain must strengthen train safety to win back public trust in high-speed rail, and said it was unacceptable for the country to suffer two high-speed accidents in a single year.

Victims identified

Among those killed was Julieta Gallego, a 24-year-old long jumper with a Madrid athletics club, whose death was confirmed by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation. The federation's president said a young life full of promise had been unjustly cut short.

Background

The crash is Spain's second deadly high-speed rail disaster of 2026. In January, a train derailed near Adamuz in Andalusia and collided with a train coming the other way, killing dozens of people the first deadly accident on a Spanish high-speed train since the network opened in 1992. Spain has one of the largest high-speed rail systems in the world, and both disasters have raised hard questions about maintenance and signalling.

What happens next

Investigators are expected to examine the signalling and the movements of both trains in the hours before the crash. Further updates on the victims and the injured are expected as families are informed.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said anyone who rigs elections under his government will go to prison. He made the comments at a party town hall in Nasarawa State on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, during a campaign visit that has also drawn a sharp response from the ruling party.

What Obi said

Asked what his party would do about rigging in 2027, Obi said that under his presidency INEC officials or anyone else who manipulated elections would be jailed. He said strengthening political parties and the electoral process would make rigging impossible, and that the law would apply equally to everyone, from the President to the ordinary citizen. He also proposed that candidates for public office should prove they attended primary and secondary school, with records open to public checks, and said anyone found to have forged certificates would face prison.

Keyamo's reaction

In a radio interview during the same visit, Obi argued that Nigeria would be much richer if public money had been kept in banks earning interest instead of being mismanaged. He also said the results of government projects should speak for themselves without ceremonies or television coverage. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo seized on those comments in a post on X on Thursday, describing them in strongly mocking terms and saying he did not know whether to laugh or cry. He claimed the remarks explained what he described as a fall in Obi's popularity.

Background

Obi, a former Anambra governor, came third in the 2023 presidential election as the Labour Party candidate and is now running on the NDC ticket with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Exchanges between his camp and senior APC figures have grown more heated since campaigns began this month, with both sides trading personal attacks online.

What happens next

Obi is expected to continue his tour of the North Central, while the APC campaign has indicated it will keep challenging his record in office.

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), is again at the centre of online debate, this time over his new power station business and his broken friendship with Davido.

The swipe at Blord

In a video shared on Thursday, 29 October 2026, VDM boasted about the container power stations he has been importing from China under his Ratel brand. He said people first claimed the project would never work but were now asking how he managed it, adding that his critics had been complaining since he unveiled the container. He aimed the comments at businessman Blord, claiming he was the first to talk about the idea and that Blord rushed into a similar venture afterwards. Blord had not publicly responded at the time of writing. VDM also said each buyer would be limited to two units, and that he would not sell in bulk.

Kokopee on the Davido rift

Separately, content creator Kokopee, a close friend of VDM, said in an Instagram video on Wednesday that he acted as a go-between when the relationship between VDM and Davido began to fall apart. He said VDM felt let down by the singer and that a sense of betrayal was at the heart of the quarrel, while Davido disagreed with VDM's view of events. Kokopee declined to share the private details of their conversations and said his support for VDM had always been private advice rather than public backing. He also promised to speak later on a separate matter involving the rapper Zlatan.

How people reacted

Reactions online were mixed. Some fans praised VDM for turning to business, while others questioned whether he could sustain it. On the Davido rift, many fans urged both men to settle their differences, while others shared unproven theories about what caused the split.

Background

VDM and Davido were once seen as allies, but their friendship cooled publicly earlier this year. The activist has spent recent weeks promoting the Ratel power stations, which he showed off at a warehouse and in demonstration videos.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State was reportedly disrupted on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, when a group of suspected thugs attacked party members and their vehicles.

What happened

According to reports, APC supporters had gathered to campaign for the party's candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections when the attackers arrived. They were said to be chanting a Hausa phrase meaning 'we do not agree' as they threw stones and other objects at the crowd. Several cars were damaged, with windscreens and windows smashed, and the attack reportedly caused panic among motorists and passengers in the area. Several people are said to have suffered minor injuries, although no exact number has been given.

Official response

The Katsina State Police Command had not commented on the incident at the time of the report, and no arrests have been announced. The APC has also not issued a public statement on who it believes was responsible.

Background

Katsina, the home state of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is an APC stronghold, but the 2027 contest in the North West is expected to be keenly fought, with the ADC, NDC and other parties also campaigning hard for votes. Campaigns for the 2027 elections formally began this month, and security agencies have repeatedly warned parties against using thugs. Similar clashes at rallies have been reported in other states in recent weeks.

What happens next

Observers are calling on the police to investigate and on all parties to restrain their supporters as campaigning intensifies across the North.

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was discharged from hospital on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, days after he collapsed at the club's training ground. The club said he will now rest at home before returning to work.

What happened

Kompany collapsed on Friday while watching a second-team training session. Bayern later said the cause was meningeal irritation, an inflammation of the membranes around the brain. Earlier that week he had skipped media duties before the Champions League match against Arsenal because of a viral infection, although he was in the dugout for the 2-2 draw.

What the club said

Sporting director Max Eberl described the discharge as the best possible news for everyone at the club. He said Kompany would rest and take medication and expressed confidence that the coach would return at full strength. Assistant coach Aaron Danks confirmed that Kompany would only return after receiving medical clearance and said there was no fixed timescale. In his absence, the coaching staff led the team to a 6-1 win over Magdeburg in the German Cup.

Background

Kompany, a former Manchester City captain and Belgium international, took charge of Bayern in 2024 after spells as manager of Anderlecht and Burnley. He led the club back to the Bundesliga title in his first season and remains popular with players and fans.

How fans reacted

Messages of support poured in from around football after news of the collapse broke, with former teammates and rival clubs wishing him a full recovery. Fans welcomed the update on Wednesday but urged the club not to rush him back.

Billionaire industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, has drawn a wave of warm reactions online after he shared photos of an unannounced visit by his former wife, Hannatu Musawa, to his office in Abuja.

What happened

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, Rabiu described the visit as a pleasant surprise. He referred to Musawa as someone he once called his wife and said times change but friendship and mutual respect remain. He also praised her work in developing Nigeria's culture and creative sector.

Who is Hannatu Musawa

Musawa is Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy and a member of President Bola Tinubu's cabinet. A lawyer and politician, she has been in charge of the ministry since 2023. She and Rabiu were married in the past and later separated.

How people reacted

The post drew thousands of reactions within hours. Many users praised the former couple for showing that people can part ways and still respect each other, with one describing it as the healthiest divorce they had seen. Others joked that the pair should remarry, while some simply welcomed a rare moment of good news on their timelines.

Background

Rabiu is one of Africa's richest people, with interests in cement, sugar, flour and real estate through BUA Group. He was named among the continent's wealthiest people again this year and is known for keeping his private life largely out of the public eye, which made the post all the more talked about.

The House of Representatives has threatened to issue arrest warrants against the chief executives of Nigeria's major telecom companies if they fail to appear before a committee investigating poor network services.

What happened

The ad hoc committee, chaired by Olumide Osoba of Ogun State, invited MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other licensed operators to explain persistent dropped calls, slow internet, failed airtime and data purchases, and poor coverage in many communities. When the companies again failed to send their top executives, lawmakers adjourned the hearing to 4 November 2026 and insisted the chief executives appear in person.

What lawmakers said

Lawmaker Sunday Umeha said the committee had considered seeking arrests at an earlier sitting but decided to give the executives another chance. He noted that invitations had been sent directly to the CEOs through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and a representative of the regulator confirmed this at the hearing. The committee also rejected a request for the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, to speak for the companies. Umeha's motion requiring each CEO to appear was adopted by voice vote.

Background

Complaints about network quality have grown since telecom tariffs went up last year, with many subscribers saying they now pay more for worse service. Operators have blamed vandalism of fibre cables, power supply problems and the high cost of running sites.

What happens next

If the CEOs do not appear on 4 November, the committee says it will seek warrants to compel their attendance.

The Federal Government has approved the start of procurement for two new high-capacity power lines, known as the East and West super grids, in a bid to fix the weak transmission network that stops much of Nigeria's electricity from reaching homes and businesses.

What happened

The decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe told State House correspondents that the goal is to raise transmission capacity from about 5,000MW to 19,000MW within two years. He said Nigeria already has more than 13,000MW of available generation, but much of it is stranded because the grid cannot carry it.

The routes

The corridors are planned to run from Sokoto through Abuja into parts of the South. The government will start with the Lagos–Ogun, Benin–Port Harcourt and Abuja–Kaduna–Kano corridors. Tegbe said Lagos and Ogun alone account for about half of national electricity demand. The council also approved new transformers for the Ikeja West substation, a new line at the Katampe substation in Abuja and the upgrade of the Itumola–Shagamu line. The cost of the projects was not disclosed.

Other measures

Tegbe said a four-week technical audit is under way to make sure money goes to projects with real impact. The government has paid ₦1.23 trillion of about ₦3.3 trillion owed to gas suppliers and other power-sector players. Tinubu also ordered the ports and customs to clear more than 300 containers of electricity equipment, some of which have been stuck for up to 20 years. Work has started on a new National Control Centre in Osogbo to replace a facility that is 64 years old.

What happens next

Nigerians, used to frequent grid collapses, will be watching for results. The minister said the Lagos and Ikeja projects would show quickly whether power reaches consumers.

Nigerian households are paying between about ₦1,200 and ₦1,600 for a kilogramme of cooking gas, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for September 2026.

The prices

The regulator's survey found the highest price in Bauchi, at ₦1,600 per kg, and the lowest in Abuja, at about ₦1,200. In Lagos, prices ranged from ₦1,250 to ₦1,400. That means refilling a 12.5kg cylinder now costs roughly ₦15,000 to ₦20,000 depending on location.

Demand and supply

Daily consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rose by about 8 per cent to 5.2 kilotonnes in September, well above the official benchmark of 3.9 kilotonnes. Supply also rose, to about 4.7 kilotonnes a day, but still fell short of consumption by roughly 500 tonnes daily. Local production now provides almost all the gas, with NLNG and Seplat supplying more than half, while imports fell sharply. The Dangote Refinery supplied about 15 per cent. Stocks were enough for about 16 days, against a required 30, although the regulator said the figures did not point to a nationwide shortage.

Background

Gas prices rose by up to ₦75 per kg in two days earlier this month as international crude prices climbed, with some suppliers raising their rates from around ₦1,175 to ₦1,250 per kg. More families have switched to gas from kerosene and charcoal in recent years, pushing up demand.

What it means

For many families already under pressure from food and transport costs, the price of a refill has become another monthly worry. The regulator says the rise in local supply has helped shield buyers from sharper swings in world prices.

Former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, running mate to Peter Obi on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket, has joined TikTok as the 2027 campaign moves further onto social media.

What happened

Kwankwaso announced his arrival on the video platform in a post on his official X account on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. He said he would use TikTok to share verified information, live updates and exclusive content from his daily life, and closed the post with his campaign line that Nigeria will be okay.

Why it matters

TikTok has become one of the busiest spaces for political debate among young Nigerians, with supporters of all the major candidates producing videos, skits and live sessions every day. Several politicians have opened accounts in recent months to speak directly to younger voters. The NDC is expected to rely heavily on young people, who formed a large part of Obi's support base in 2023, while Kwankwaso's Kwankwasiyya movement has a strong following in the North.

Background

The announcement came on the same day the NDC inaugurated its presidential campaign council for the January 2027 elections. Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP presidential candidate in 2023, has teamed up with Obi on a joint ticket. The APC, ADC and other parties have also stepped up their online campaigns since the official start of campaigning.

How people reacted

Supporters quickly shared the account, while some critics joked that politicians only discover new apps during election season.

A pro-Tinubu campaign group led by former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has expanded into Imo State with a large show of campaign materials.

What happened

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement inaugurated its Imo chapter on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at the Ndubuisi Kalu Square in Owerri. The group presented 30 campaign vehicles, 30 generators, 60 public-address speakers and other materials for its work in the state. Tompolo was represented by Kestin Pondi, managing director of Tantita Security Services, the pipeline surveillance company linked to him.

What was said

Speaking for Tompolo, Pondi backed President Bola Tinubu's re-election and described the government's economic reforms as important for long-term development. Governor Hope Uzodimma praised the initiative and promised to work with the movement, saying the campaign should go directly to communities and explain government policies to residents across Imo's 27 local government areas. The administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro, and the movement's national coordinator, Sunday Asuku, were also present, along with APC leaders.

Background

The movement has been rolling out chapters across the country ahead of the January 2027 elections. The Owerri event came at a busy time for Uzodimma, who is also involved in a court fight over the APC's Imo West senatorial ticket and has rejected the Rainbow Coalition in the state.

Why it matters

The South East has been difficult ground for the APC in recent presidential elections, and the party is investing heavily to improve its showing there in 2027.

Nollywood actor turned politician Kenneth Okonkwo has once again attacked President Bola Tinubu's administration, this time with a remark that quickly went viral.

What he said

Speaking on News Central TV on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, Okonkwo said he did not know what Nigerians had done to God for Tinubu to become president, and followed it with an apology to God on behalf of the country. A clip of the moment was shared widely on Instagram and X on Wednesday evening.

Background

Okonkwo, best known for his role in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, is a lawyer and one of Nollywood's most politically active stars. He supported Tinubu's APC before switching to back Peter Obi and the Labour Party in 2023, when he served as a spokesman for Obi's campaign. He has frequently criticised the government's economic policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the rising cost of living.

How people reacted

Reactions were sharply divided along political lines. Opposition supporters shared the clip as a summary of their frustration with the economy, while APC supporters reminded him of his past support for the ruling party and accused him of changing sides. The APC has not formally responded to his comments.

Why it matters

With campaigns for the January 2027 elections now in full swing, celebrities on all sides are becoming more vocal, and their comments are being used by both camps to rally supporters online.

Afrobeats star Davido has released the music video for his song 'Already Falling', and the star of the show is his wife, Chioma Adeleke.

What happened

The singer shared the video on Instagram on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, with a short caption presenting it as a gift from the couple to their fans. The video opens with a large portrait of the pair, with Davido performing in front of it. Chioma, a chef and businesswoman known to fans as Chef Chi, then appears in a Victorian-style gown, with Davido in a matching outfit. In one scene she playfully strokes his beard. Later the mood changes as she drives a red convertible while he sings beside her.

How fans reacted

Fans flooded the comments with praise for the couple's chemistry, describing them as genuine and clearly in love. Many complimented Chioma's look and called the pair Nigerian music royalty, while others said the video showed that the couple did not need to try hard to stand out.

Background

Davido and Chioma, who married in a lavish ceremony in Lagos in 2024 and have twins, rarely appear together in his videos, which made this release all the more talked about. Davido has been in the news in recent weeks, including over the cooling of his friendship with activist VeryDarkMan.

What happens next

The video is already among the most-discussed Nigerian music releases of the week, and fans are hoping for more joint appearances from the couple.

Popular Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has shared the story of how he lost his job at a telecom company before he became one of the industry's most in-demand stars.

What he said

Speaking on the CreativiTea podcast on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Arukwe said he worked in sales at Etisalat, where he led a tech sales team. During a campaign that gave customers free promotional data with MiFi routers, members of his team allegedly charged customers for the data and kept the money. Arukwe said he was not involved, but his login was traced to some of the transactions. He said someone else had been using his login, insisting that was the truth.

How it ended

As head of the team, he said he was held responsible and was dismissed in 2018, along with one other colleague. He said the decision shook the company because he was well regarded and seen as someone with a future there. He added that he kept the sacking from his parents and dealt with it privately.

From sales to the screen

Arukwe went on to build a successful acting career and is now one of the most familiar faces in Nollywood films and series. In another part of the interview he also spoke about producers repeatedly offering him the same type of character and said he wants more varied roles.

How people reacted

Fans praised his honesty, with many saying the story showed that losing a job can sometimes open a new door.

A 37-year-old woman has sparked heated reactions on social media after reportedly revealing that she has 14 children with 12 different men and is still searching for a man who will genuinely love her.

Her revelation has left many internet users stunned, with people questioning how she managed to have such a large family at her age while still hoping to find a lasting romantic relationship.

While some people have criticised her past relationship choices, others believe that having children with different partners should not automatically disqualify a woman from finding happiness and companionship.

But there is another side to this conversation.

At 37, with 14 children depending on her, finding a serious partner may come with challenges. Any man considering a relationship with her would have to understand that he is entering a family with enormous responsibilities.

Beyond the jokes and criticism, the bigger questions are about the children's welfare, financial stability, parenting responsibilities and the role of their fathers.

Nevertheless, the woman reportedly remains hopeful that the right man will eventually come into her life.

Now, a sincere question for the men: if you met a beautiful, hardworking and caring woman who has 14 children with 12 different fathers, would you consider marrying her?

Ladies, if this woman were your sister, what advice would you give her?

VeryDarkMan (VDM) deserves recognition for taking a bold approach to marketing his Ratel-branded products, particularly his newly introduced power stations.

At a time when many businesses rely heavily on advertisements, celebrity endorsements and social media publicity to attract customers, VDM has chosen to demonstrate what his products can actually do.

Rather than simply telling Nigerians how powerful and reliable his gadgets are, he has taken the initiative to publicly test their capabilities, showing potential buyers how they work and what they can expect from them.

This is a commendable business approach that other Nigerian entrepreneurs should consider adopting.

One of the biggest challenges facing consumers in Nigeria today is the difficulty of telling quality products apart from those that fail to meet expectations. Many people have spent their hard-earned money on gadgets that promised excellent performance but delivered disappointment.

That is why public product demonstrations matter. By putting his Ratel power stations to the test in front of his audience, VeryDarkMan is giving prospective customers a chance to assess their performance before buying.

Of course, a demonstration alone does not guarantee long-term durability or reliability. However, it provides a useful starting point for customers who want evidence beyond advertising claims.

There is also an important business lesson here: a company that is confident in its products should be willing to show customers what those products can do.

VDM appears to understand that building a successful brand requires more than having thousands of followers or generating excitement on social media. Customers must have reasons to trust what they are buying.

His approach could also encourage healthy competition among Nigerian businesses, particularly those selling electronic gadgets, power solutions and other consumer products. If more entrepreneurs publicly demonstrated their products under realistic conditions, buyers would be better equipped to compare options and make informed decisions.

VeryDarkMan may be known mainly for his social media activism and outspoken personality, but his latest business activities show another side of him as an entrepreneur seeking a place in Nigeria's competitive consumer market.

Whether you support VDM or disagree with his activities, one thing deserves acknowledgement: his willingness to demonstrate his products publicly is a positive example of consumer-focused marketing.

The real test will be whether the products continue to meet customers' expectations after purchase. For now, credit should be given where it is due.

Big kudos to VeryDarkMan! Nigerian entrepreneurs can learn something from this approach.

What do you think? Should companies be required to demonstrate the actual performance of their products before selling them to the public?

Popular Nigerian social media activist and businessman Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has once again got Nigerians talking after demonstrating the capabilities of his newly imported Ratel Power Station.

VeryDarkMan, who recently received a 40-foot container loaded with power stations and other gadgets from China, has begun testing the products to show potential customers what they can do.

One particular demonstration has caught the attention of many people.

In the test, the smallest model, rated at 1,200 watts, powered a television, a standing fan and a refrigerator for 5 hours 17 minutes. The TV drew 74W, the fan 50W and the fridge 150W, a total of 274W when all three were running.

And remember, this is just the smallest model in the range!

For a country like Nigeria, where unreliable electricity continues to affect homes, students, artisans and small businesses, a portable power station with such capabilities could be a useful alternative during power outages.

VDM has previously explained that his target customers include students, barbers, makeup artists and other Nigerians whose daily activities depend on electricity.

However, the demonstration has also added another chapter to the ongoing social media rivalry between VeryDarkMan and businessman Blord.

While Blord has continued promoting his own gadgets through videos and online publicity, supporters of VeryDarkMan are challenging him to demonstrate the actual performance of his products in a similar way.

And this is where the argument becomes interesting. Making promotional videos is one thing, but showing customers what a product can actually do is another.

VDM appears determined to let the performance of his products speak for itself, and his supporters are already celebrating his approach.

The box shows a battery capacity of 932Wh. A runtime of 5 hours 17 minutes fits with that, because a fridge's compressor switches on and off rather than running all the time, so the average load stays below the full 274W. Actual runtime will still vary with the appliances used and how they are used.

Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding the Ratel Power Station shows how much attention VeryDarkMan's latest business venture is attracting.

From activism and philanthropy to importing products from China, VDM is gradually expanding into commercial ventures. And as his supporters would say, VeryDarkMan is whoever he says he is!

Now, the big question is this: between VeryDarkMan's Ratel Power Station and Blord's gadgets, who is actually giving Nigerians better value for their money?

Let the products do the talking!

The political battle in Imo State has taken a dramatic turn after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Governor Hope Uzodimma is not the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that Uzodimma did not win the party's May 18 primary for Imo West and that former governor Rochas Okorocha polled the highest votes. The court ordered INEC to recognise Okorocha and publish his name as the APC's candidate, and barred Uzodimma from presenting himself as the party's candidate.

Okorocha filed the suit in August, arguing that INEC's own monitors' reports showed him as the winner of the primary. His camp says he scored 150,780 votes to Uzodimma's 102,158, while the party's returning officer had declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes. Uzodimma and the APC had asked the court to throw out the case as filed too late.

It is not yet known whether Uzodimma or the APC will appeal.

The ruling raises fresh questions about the balance of power within Imo APC. It comes amid growing political tension involving Governor Uzodimma and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over cross-party alliances and control of party structures ahead of the 2027 elections. However, there is no evidence that Wike had anything to do with the court's decision.

Is Hope Uzodimma gradually losing his grip on Imo politics, or is this just a temporary setback in the battle for 2027?

Popular Nigerian social media activist and philanthropist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has once again attracted public attention after visiting his warehouse to inspect a shipment of power banks and portable power stations imported from China in a 40-foot container.

During the visit, VDM explained that the products were brought into Nigeria with students, barbers, makeup artists and other small business owners in mind, particularly those who struggle daily with Nigeria's unreliable electricity supply.

According to him, many Nigerians are unable to study comfortably or run their businesses efficiently because of constant power outages.

For students, having a reliable source of electricity can make a difference when preparing for examinations, attending online classes or studying at night.

For barbers and makeup artists, electricity is equally important. Many depend on electrical equipment to earn their daily income, and every hour without power can mean losing customers and money.

VDM believes that making portable power solutions available to these groups could help reduce some of the difficulties they face.

From social media activism to business

Over the years, VeryDarkMan has built a reputation for speaking out on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, particularly people who struggle to make ends meet. His latest business venture appears to reflect that same interest in the challenges facing low-income earners.

Rather than concentrating only on luxury products, VDM says he wants to provide practical solutions that students, artisans and small business owners can use in their everyday lives.

However, the prices, capacities and affordability of the imported products will ultimately determine how accessible they are to the people he hopes to serve.

A business idea that addresses a real Nigerian problem

Nigeria's electricity challenges have continued to place enormous pressure on households and small businesses. Many artisans spend a significant portion of their earnings on fuel, generator maintenance and alternative power sources just to stay in business.

If VDM can offer reliable portable power stations at affordable prices, the venture could become a useful option for people who cannot afford expensive solar installations or large generators.

What makes this development particularly interesting is his stated intention to combine business with solutions to everyday problems. VDM has made it clear that he intends to make money from the venture while providing products that could make life easier for Nigerians.

VDM continues to show an interest in the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, whether through his activism, humanitarian activities or business ventures. His latest move deserves attention, especially if the products eventually reach students and low-income workers at prices they can genuinely afford.

What do you think about VDM's latest business venture? Would you buy an affordable portable power station to support your studies or business?

Political tension appears to be brewing in Imo State as Governor Hope Uzodimma sends a strong warning to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that there is no room for a Rainbow Coalition in the state.

In remarks attributed to the governor, Uzodimma warned APC members against working outside the party's political structure, insisting that loyalty to the APC must remain their priority.

The governor reportedly went further by threatening to withdraw vehicles donated by Niger Delta leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, from beneficiaries found supporting political arrangements outside the APC.

"No Rainbow Coalition in Imo State. If I see you work outside the APC party, I'll take the vehicles from you," Uzodimma was quoted as saying.

The governor also expressed appreciation to Tompolo for his generosity and pledged his support whenever the Niger Delta leader needed assistance in Imo State.

"I am very grateful to High Chief Tompolo. Anytime you need us in Imo State, let us know and we'll be there for you," he reportedly added.

Is Uzodimma drawing a political battle line against Wike?

The governor's reported declaration has raised questions about the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose name has become associated with cross-party political alliances.

Wike, although a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serves in President Bola Tinubu's APC-led administration and has maintained political relationships across party lines. His political approach has often involved cooperation between politicians belonging to different parties, particularly in Rivers State.

However, Uzodimma's reported warning suggests that he is unwilling to accommodate a similar arrangement within the Imo APC.

Although the remarks could be interpreted as a message to Wike's political allies, they do not, on their own, establish that the two politicians are in a direct confrontation.

Questions over Tompolo's donated vehicles

Another interesting aspect of the governor's reported statement is his warning about withdrawing vehicles donated by Tompolo.

The remarks raise questions about whether the vehicles were intended as unconditional gifts or whether their continued use is tied to political loyalty. It also remains unclear what authority would govern the withdrawal of the vehicles from beneficiaries.

What does this mean for Imo politics?

With political calculations already taking shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, Uzodimma's reported position could signal an attempt to strengthen party discipline and prevent competing political alliances from gaining influence within the state.

For now, the bigger question is whether the governor's declaration is simply an internal warning to APC members or the beginning of a wider struggle over political influence.

One thing is certain: if these remarks are accurately reported, Governor Hope Uzodimma has made his position clear. He expects APC members in Imo State to remain loyal to the party.

But should vehicles donated to politicians be withdrawn simply because the beneficiaries choose to support a different political alliance? And could this be the beginning of a political disagreement between Uzodimma and Wike ahead of 2027?

Nigerian politics will teach you lessons that no university can offer!

Nollywood veteran and political activist Hilda Dokubo, who has previously been associated with strong opposition to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has reportedly visited him at his Port Harcourt residence.

This is the same Hilda Dokubo whom critics have accused of making hostile remarks about Wike and of supporting groups that displayed his obituary on a coffin during political protests. Those allegations remain unverified.

Now, reports of a meeting between the two have raised eyebrows, especially because of the presence of Kingsley Chinda, a prominent Rivers politician widely regarded as a Wike ally.

The big question is: what could these three political figures be discussing behind closed doors?

Is this political reconciliation? A fresh alliance ahead of the 2027 elections? Or another example of the famous Nigerian political principle, "scratch my back, and I will scratch yours"?

Of course, nobody outside that meeting can say for certain what was discussed. But considering the bitter political disagreements that have characterised Rivers State politics, the reported gathering is bound to generate questions.

It is a reminder for Nigerians to be careful about fighting, insulting and destroying relationships because of politicians.

Today, two politicians are sworn enemies. Tomorrow, they are sitting in the same living room, smiling, shaking hands and possibly negotiating their next political move.

Meanwhile, their supporters are still fighting yesterday's battles on Facebook!

Never gamble your peace, friendships or future on the political quarrels of Nigerian politicians and their celebrity supporters. In Nigerian politics, today's enemy can become tomorrow's political partner.

What do you think brought Hilda Dokubo, Wike and Kingsley Chinda together? Reconciliation, political calculation or something else?

An emotional reunion between a mother and her son has captured attention on social media after the young boy reportedly collapsed upon seeing his mother for the first time in four years.

According to the story accompanying the circulating video, the woman had been living abroad for four years, leaving her son behind while she pursued a better future for her family.

After years of separation, she decided to return home and surprise her son at his school without telling him she was coming.

What was supposed to be a joyful reunion quickly became an overwhelming moment for the young boy.

Upon seeing his mother unexpectedly, the boy reportedly became so overwhelmed that he collapsed, leaving those around him concerned.

The touching scene has sparked emotional reactions online, with many social media users reflecting on the sacrifices parents make when they travel abroad in search of better opportunities for their children.

For many families, living abroad comes with a painful price. Parents sometimes spend years away from their children, missing birthdays, school activities, family celebrations and important childhood moments.

Although financial support can help provide a better life, the emotional impact of prolonged separation can be difficult for both parents and children.

The circumstances surrounding the boy's reported collapse, including whether he needed medical attention, have not been independently confirmed.

Nevertheless, the reunion has reminded many people of the importance of family, parental presence and the emotional bond between mothers and their children.

Four years without seeing his mother, and suddenly she appeared right before his eyes. Imagine the emotions running through that little boy's heart.

What do you think about parents leaving their young children behind for several years to work abroad in search of a better future? Is the sacrifice worth it?